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PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Tuesday, July 13. LAW PRACTITIONERS ACT. The second reading was carried, and the Bill was referred to a Select Committee, it being understood that in dealing with it they would take also the Statute Revision Commission’s and Sir George Grey’s Bills on the same subject, and put what portions of each they think desirable into it. EIGHT HOURS BILL. The Hon. Mr M‘Lean moved the second reading of the Eight Hours Bill. A large number of members spoke against it, contending that it could do no possible good, and if it had any effect at all it would be a mischievous one, as disturbing the present relations between employers and employed. The Bill was thrown out by 17 to 9. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 18. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILL A Bill intituled the Auckland University Bill was received by message from the Governor.

QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated that Government could not give a decided answer as to altering survey regulations, to have the side and back lir.es of bush sections cut and pegged before sale. It would be done where necessary. It would be unwise to legalise the lines of private surveyors.—Government did not intend to bring in any Bill enabling part of one borough to sever its connection in order to incorporate with another more conveniently situated. Such an alteration might be desired, but it was impossible to make it this session. The Government also did not propose to select the area of town districts under the Act of 1881.

1 Some engines had been sent from Inver- ■ cargill to Christchurch for repairs, as the 1 workshops at Hillside, Dunedin, were unable to overtake the work required of them.—When the Government had called for tenders for the manufacture of railway rolling stock in the colony the coat was found to be prohibitive.—The railway employees on the Brunner line were paid according to a scale which had not been affected by the 10 per cent, reduction. They received L 5 per cent, goldfields allowance.—Government would consider the propriety of offering a bonus for the first 100 tons of wattle bark, suitable for tanning purposes, grown in the colony. —Government would arrange for a stationmaster being stationed at the station on north bank of Selwyn river at least during the grain season.—Government considered the Volunteer Land Claims Commisioners had adhered to the terms of their commission in the enquiry they had conducted. FIRST READING. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill, introduced by Mr Macdonald, was read the first time. LAND BILL. The debate on the Land Bill was continued. Col. Trimble spoke in favor of the Bill. It was an experimental measure, to be applied only to a limited extent, until its value was tested. That was one of its great beauties. It only proposed to add another to the existing systems of dealing with the public estate. So long as a sufficiently secure tenure was obtained it mattered little whether the land was freehold or leasehold. The proposed leasehold tenure was, ho thought, absolutely perfect. There was only a very small percentage of defaulters amongst the deferred payment settlers. There were only about COO out of 10.000, and all the complaints came from one part of the colony. He was of opinion that the Bill would do good. Several alterations might be made in committee. Ha would give the Bill his very cordial support. Mr Hutchison was desirous of expressing his gratification at the introduction of the Bill. If worked well the Bill would have very beneficent results, perhaps more than the promoter anticipated. Mr Peacock would express his entire disapproval of the Bill if made applicable to the whole of the colony, but was reconciled to the Bill to some extent as it was only to bo partial in its operation. Ho would vote for the second reading of the Bill, but in committee would endeavor to effect an alteration.

Mr Shepherd said that as the Hill stood he regretted that it had been brought down. It was unsound, unjust, and un-

workable. It was certain it dould never get through the Hodse in its present state. P\ Mr Stevens warmly supported the gene* ral principle of the Bill, although all the details were not perfect. ■ Mr Shrimski favored the Bill, and Mr Turnbull condemned it. ; ' At 12 40 Mr Bracken moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose.

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